Electric switch



I. L. MILTON.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.`

APPLICATION FILED MAR.29,1920.

Patented Feb. l7, 1922.

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UNITED STATES JOHN LEWIS MILTON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A'SSIGNOR TO THE TEAGLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, O HIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that L'JOHN L. vMILTON, a citizen ofthe United States` residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State lof Ohio, have invented certain new and -useful Improvements Ain Electric Switches, of which the following vis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates particularly .to switches adapted to ground electric circuits), such, for example, as circuits of electric lignition systems used on automotive vehicles.

The principal objects of lmy invention comprise the provision of a circuit controlling electric switch 'which has its cooperating electrodes or conta-ct points enclosed in a dirt and weather proof casing, whlch is simple in construction, which is durable and reliable in operation, and which is capable of production atrelatively low cost.

The nature of the invention will be more fully pointed out in the description which follows in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan v iew of the switch.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line II-II, Fig. 1.

.Fig 3 is a sectionon the line IIL-III,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the switch casing members detached.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of one of the insulatin blocks or washers.v

Iieferring in detail to the construction illustrated, 1 is a metal cup-shaped casing member preferably made of sheet metal, 2

i is a flexible diaphragmof. nonconducting material such as leather, and 3 is an annular metal supporting member upon which the casing members 1 and 2 are mounted. The flat bottom wall of the cup-shaped member is formed with an aperture 1 and has a pair of diametrically opposed inwardly turned lugs l", 1l? and a similar pair of diametrically opposed outwardly turned lugs 1, 1. 4 is a rod-like electrode member which is fixedly Secured in the aperture of the casing member 1. The electrode'member 4 has its inner end formed with an enlargement or head constituting the electrode proper and on the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. '7, 1922.

Application filed March 29, 1920. Serial No. 369,689.

stem of said member are arranged three insulating washers' 5, 6 and 7, the washer 5 being arranged on the inside of the cup-shaped member 1 and being formed with diametrically opposed notches 521,5a which embrace the inwardly turned lugs 1b, 1?. The washer 6 is circular and lits the aperture la ofthe member lf The washer 7 is similar to the washer 5 and has its diametrically opposed notches arranged to embrace the outwardly turned lugs 1, 1c. v

Preferably, a fourth insulating washer 8 is arranged out-side the washer 7 and a metal washer 9 and a spring locking washer 10 are interposed between the washer 8 and a nut 11 which is mounted on the threaded outer end of the electrodemember 4. It will-be seen that when the nut 11 is screwed tight the bottom wall of the casing member 1 is tightly clamped between the washers 5 and 7 and the electrode 4 is rigidly secured to the said casing member 1.

The extreme outer end of the electrode 4 is preferably fitted with a pair of washers 12 and a clamp nut 13 so that the end of the electrode serves as a binding post adapted to receive the end of a flexible conductor.'

14 is a movable electrode mounted" on the middle of the diaphragm 2. This electrode as shown comprises an outer head or button part 14a, 'a neck 14b and an inner head 14c formed by riveting over the innery end of the neck 14b on the metallic cupped-washer 15 arranged on the inner side of the diaphragm; 16 is a coiled spring surrounding the electrode 4 and the washer 5. This spring servesto electrically connect the electrode 14 to the casing 1 and also to-normally hold thelelectrode 14 out of contact with the fixed electrode 4.

The top wall of the cup-shaped casing member :l is formed with an outwardly turned flange 1d and the'peripheral part of the diaphragm 2 is clamped between this flange and the annular support 3.` The sup- .lines inFig. 2 and by full lines in Fig. 5; lthen, in assembling the cup-shaped member A1, the diaphragm 2 and the support 3, pres- `-sure is applied to the dshed flange 1d of the member 1 to flatten it as shown in Fig. 2- and thereby expand its periphery into tight contact with the under-cut wall of the flange 3a, so that the cupped member 1 and the support 3 are effectively secured together with the peripheral part of the dia phragm Qtightly clamped between them.

The support 3 and the casing members 1 and "2 are formed with diametricallyopposed holes to receive screws 17, 17 by which the switch is. attached to a supporting metal plate or wall 18. v

In assembling the switch mechanism the electrode 4 is secured in the manner describedto the bottom wall of the casing 1, the spring 16 is placed in position, the diaphragm 2 with the electrode 14 secured thereto is disposed over the top of the cupshaped casing member 1, and finally the support 3 is placed in position and the parts inserted in a press and the dished flange 1f1 of the casing member 1 is flattened to secure the partstogether in the manner above de scribed.

When the conductor of the electric circuit is connected to the binding post end of the electrode 4, the said circuit is normally unaffected by the switch; but by simply pressing the button 14a of the electrode 14 the latter is brought into contact with the electrode 4 `so .that current can flow from the flexible conductor through the electrode .4, electrode 14, washer 15, spring 16, casing'l and support' to the `metallic frame 4structure 18-which is equivalent to ground.

In electric ignition systems for internal combustion engines, provision is commonly made for thus grounding the ignition circuit to stop the engine and it will be seen that my improved switch is 'especially well adapted for such service. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular use nor to the particular forms of'construction illustrated in the drawings which are intended simplyI for purposes of explanation and illustration. l

What I claim is:

1. In an electric switch,- the combination of a casing comprising a rigid metal cupshaped'section adapted to form part of an electric circuit and a flexible non-conducting diaphragm arranged to close the open side of the cup-shaped section, an electrode mounted on and insulated from the said cupshaped section, a second electrode mounted on the diaphragm, means comprising a spring interposed between and serving to electrically connect the cup-shaped section and the| electrode on the diaphragm, said spring being adapted to normally hold the electrodes apart and to yield when pressure is appliedto the diaphragm and permit engagement of the electrodes.

2. In an electric switch, the 'combination of a casing comprising' a rigid metal cupshaped section adapted to form part of an electric circuit and a flexible non-conducting diaphragm arranged to closethe open side of the cup-shaped section, an electrode mounted on and insulated'from the said cup-shaped section, a second electrode mounted on the diaphragm, means comprising a coiled spring surrounding the first named electrode and interposed between and serving to electri` cally connect the cup-shaped casing section and the electrode on the diaphragm, said spring being adapted to normally hold the electrodes apart and to lyield when pressure is applied to the diaphragm and permit engagement of the electrodes.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a rigid annular supporting section, a metal cup-shaped section adapted to form a part of an electric circuit and having a peF ripheral flange secured to the support, a flexible diaphragm of non-conducting ma` terial clamped between tlie annular support and theflange of the cup-shaped section so as to close the open side thereof, an'e'l'ectrode mounted on and insulated from the said eup-shaped section, a second electrode vJOHN LEWIS MILTON. 

